Valve.



S. T. NELSON.

VALVE.

APPLICATION FlLED OCT. 1, I914.

Patented Apr. 8,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

I Swan 27 Ness @m,

S. T. NELSON.

I VALVE. APPLICATION FILED OCT- 7, 19.14.

1,299,761. Patented Apr. 8,1919.

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WTTED STATES PATENT @FFTQE.

SVEN '1. NELSON, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 1'0 SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

VALVE.

wearer.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 8, 1919.

Application filed October 7, ,1914. Serial No. 865,581.

valves, and is more especially concerned with automatically acting intake and discharge valves for gaseous fluid compressors, and will be best understood by reference to the following description, when .taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of a portion of a compressor equipped with intakeand discharge valves embodying my invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section of a portion of a compressor provided with ntakeand discharge valves embodying my lnventlon;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking toward the left;

F1g. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, looking toward the right;

Fig. 4 is an elevation of the guard or stop for the intake valve;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the same viewed from the right-hand side of Fig. 4;

151g. 6 is an elevation of the intake valve; an

Fig. 7 is an elevation of the discharge valve.

Referring to the drawings, and to the embodiment of my invention which I have selected' for illustration, I have there shown as an exemplification of vmy invention a gaseous fluid compressor comprising a cylinder 10, within which a piston 11 works in the customary manner. The cylinder is provided with a cylinder head 12, which for the purpose of convenience of manufacture and assembly of the parts herein comprises a main head 13 and a separate removable supplemental head 14:, secured to the cylinder by a plurality of studs 15. The supplemental head is herein chambered and partitioned to provide an intake chamber 16 and a discharge chamber 17, the intake chamber directly communicating with an intake passage 18 through one or more ports 19, and the discharge chamber directly communicating with a discharge passage 20 through one or more ports 21. Preferably, the supplemental cylinder head is provided with cover plates 22 and 23, for the chambers 16 and 17 respectively, whereby the intake and discharge valves may be rendered accessible for purposes of inspection, without the necessity of removing the entire head. The cover plate 22 is herein secured in place by a plurallty of screws 24, and the cover plate 23 bya series of screws 25.

The intake and discharge valves may be, and herein are, very similar to each other, though they differ in some respects, principally due to the difference in requirements which call for differences in their valve seats and in their mounting. I will-describe the intake valve first.

The latter, as herein shown, comprises a valve body 26 (shown in detail in Fig. 6), interposed between a valve seat 27 and a guard or stop 28, the latter being intended to limit the opening movement of the valve. The valve seat 27', as herein shown, is in the form of a plate of generally segmental shape, secured to the main head 13 by a plurality bf screws 29 which pass throughthe mai gin'of the valve and its guard and serve to secure both to the main head.

The valve body herein consists of-a relatively thin, flexible and preferably elastic sheet of material,'which in practice will be suitably tempered spring steel. This plate is herein provided with a marginal portion 30, suitably perforated to receive the screws 29, while within its marginal portion, the plate is provided with slots, herein a plurality of slots 31-31, 32-32, 33-33', 35-35' and 36'36, forming tongues 37, 38-38, 394.9, 40-40, 41 41' and 42-42. Said tongues constitute elastic valves which in their neutral untensioned condition overlie and normally close suitably formed apertures in the valve seat 27. If desired, there may be a plurality of apertures for each tongue, as described in connection with the discharge valve, as will presently appear; but for the purpose of illustrating two desirable forms of valve seats, I have herein shown the valve seat 27 as being provided with a plurality of apertures 43, 44H, 45 45', 4616, 47 47', and 4:848, generally corresponding with the tongues of the valve body as to shape and location, though somewhat smaller than the tongues 50 that the marginal portions of the latter normally rest; against the valve seat about the margins of the apertures.

The guard or stop v28 (shown in detail in Figs. 4 and 5) may be, and herein is, identical in outline with the valve body, and comprises a marginal portion 49 suitably perforated to receive the screws 29, and a plurality of slots 5050, 5l51, 52-52, 53-53, 5454, and 5555, forming tongues 56, 5757, 5858, 5959, 6060, and 6161, corresponding to the tongues of the valve body just described. The marginal portion 49 of the guard preferably clamps the marginal portion or base of the tongues securely to the cylinder head as far forward as the point at which, due to the merging of the tongues with the valve marginal portion, the flexibility of i the tongues is decreased, that is the junction of the tongues with the marginal portion. This preferred construction results in a projecting valve tongue which has the same flexibility throughout its length independent of the shape of the inner ends of the slots, herein shown as rectangular, although, as is obvious, the inner ends of these slots may assume any desired shape.

The valve guard differs, however, from the valve body, in that it is relatively thickand inflexible, so that its tongues may act as stops for the tongues of the valve body; and moreover, the tongues of the guard or stop are bent or curved out of the plane of t-he marginal portion of the guard, in order to permit the necessary opening movement of the tongues of the valve body the tongues gradually opening out against or folding up on the curved plates without shockor hammering For this purpose the curved surfaces of the guards are preferably curved more at the guard ends than at the base of the guards, that is the curvature varies directly as the length of the guard. From an inspection of Fig. 5, it will be observed that the tongues which are nearer the ends of the series have a somewhat greater curvature than those at the central portion thereof, this being for the purpose of permitting a greater amplitude of movement of the shorter tongues to allow for the passage of a somewhat greater volume of air in proportion to their size. Owing to the described form and arrangement of the valve, it is 65 possible to secure a relatively large effective area of the intake. Inorder to provide for the passage of the gaseous fluid from the intake valve into the cylinder itself, the main head 13 is appropriately apertured, and preferably is provided with a multiplicity of small perforations 62, so that should the valve become broken, the pieces thereof would not become lodged in the end of the cylinder and cause damage. It should. here be observed that the main head is provided with a recess 63, into which the tongues. of the guard or stop 28 project.

Turning noW to the discharge valve, the latter herein comprises avalve body 64, preferably consisting of a relatively thin, '70 flexible, and preferably elastic sheet of material, which in practice, as in the case of the intake valve, is made of tempered spring steel. This plate is provided with slots 6565, ee ee', 6767, 6868, 69-459, forming a plurality of tongues 7 0, 71-71, 7272, 7373, 7474, and 75-75, all of which project from a marginal portion 76, suitabl perforated to receive a plurality of screws 77. This valve body is herein interposed between a valve seat 78, constituting a part of the main head 13, and a stop or guard 79. The valve body and the guard are secured in place by the screws 77 already referred to, in cooperation with a clamping bar 80.

The valve seat 78 is provided with appropriate apertures, which the tongues of the valve body overlie, and in' this instance I have shown a plurality of. perforations for each tongue. This construction I prefer to the use of the slots described in connection with the intake valve, for the reason that, where each valve port is made up of a number of small perforations, a better support is provided for the valve tongue, and there is less likelihood of breakage than in the case where each tongue is supported by the valve seat merely at the margin of the tongue. In the form shown, it will be observed that there are several rows of such perforations, the same being herein designated by the numerals 81, 8282, 8383, 8484, 85-85, and 8686, one series or row for each tongue of the valve body.

Referring now to the stop or guard 79, the latter is herein identical in outline with the valve body itself, though it differs therefrom in being made of a relatively thicker and stifier plate which will possess the neces- 1,10 sary rigidlty to-limit the opening move ment of the valve. This plate is herein provided with a plurality of slots 87-87, 88-88, s9 s9', 90-90, and 91-91, forming a plurality of tongues 92, 93-93, 11 94 94', 95 95', 9696, and 97-97', corresponding to the tongues of the valve body and respectively overlying them. These tongues, like those of the intake valve, are curved or bowed outwardly from the plane of the valve body to provide the necessary space for the opening movement of the tongues. These tongues, moreover, will have their degrees of curvature to correspond to the de grees of curvature of the intake valve; that is to say, the shorter tongues have a greater curvature in proportion to their length than the relatively longer tongues. This feature I have deemed it unnecessary to illustrate in the case of the discharge valve, because it valves and the parts cooperating therewith are accessible upon the removal of the supplemental head or the cover plates, making it an easy operation to inspect or change any of the valve mechanism.

The operation of the valves should be readily understood without any further description, except to say that when the piston travels toward the left (Fig. 1), the.dis-- charge valve will naturally remain seated, while the intake valve will be opened by reason of the rarefication of the gaseous fluid within the cylinder and the relatively higher pressure of gaseous fluid in the intake chamber. On the other hand, when the piston travels toward the right (Fig. 1), the intake valve will naturally be seated by the pressure of the gaseous fluid exerted thereagainst from within the piston chamber, p

a flat ported seat, a valve comprising a body and the compressed fluid" will cause the dis chargevalve to open and permit the fluid to flow from the cylinder chamber to the discharge chamber, and thence to the discharge passage, from whence it will pass to the usual receiver.

While I have herein shown and described one specific embodiment of my invention for illustrative purposes, and have disclosed .and discussed in detail the construction and arrangement incidental to one specific application thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is limited neither to the mere details or relative arrangement of parts, nor to its specific embodiment herein shown, but that extensive deviationsfrom the illustrated form or embodiment of the invention may be made, without departing from the princi les thereof. I

aving thus described my invention, what I claim and desire by Letters Patent to procure 1s:

1. A valve comprising, in combination, a flat ported seat, a thin, elastic, reed-like metal tongue of greater length than width fixed at one end and free at the other end, adapted to be flexed by fluid pressure and normally resting on said seat without substantial tension, and a stop for said tongue curved only in the direction of the length of said tongue to receive the same, said stop engaging said tongue at its fixed end, and" 'CuIVlIlg gradually away therefrom toward its free end when said tongue is in normal position.

2. In a compressor'valve, in combination, a flat ported seat, a valve comprlsing a plurality of thin, elastic, reed-like metallic tongues, of greater length than width fixed at one end and free at the other end, adapted to be flexed by fluid pressure and normally resting on said seat without substantial tension, and ported stopping means for said tongues curved only in the direction of the length of said tongues to receive the same,

said stopping means engaging said valve at its fixed end and curving gradually away therefrom toward itsfre'e end when said valve is in normal position.

3. In'a compressor valve, in combination,

a flat ported seat, a valve comprising a plurality ofv thin, elastic, reed-like metallic tongues of greater length than width disposed inspaced relation substantially in the form of a segment, fixed at one end and free at the other end, adapted to be flexed by fluid pressure and normally resting on said seat without substantial tension, and ported stopping means for said tongues .curved only in the direction of the length of said tongues i to receive the same, said stopping means engaging said valve at its fixed end and curving gradually away therefrom toward its free end when said valve'is in normal position.

4. In a compressor valve, in combination,

length of said tongues and rigidly clamping the same to said seat at a point as far forward as their junction with said body portion and thereafter curving gradually away therefrom when said tongues are in normal position.

5. 'A valve comprising, in combination, a flat ported seat, a valve member, including a plurality of thin, elastic, reed-like metallic tongues of different lengths and all of greater length than width, each fixed at one end and free at its other end, said tongues being adapted to be flexed by fluid pressure and normally resting on said seat without substantial tension, and stopping means for said tongues curved only in the direction of the length of said tongues to receive thesame, said stopping means engaging said tongues at their fixed ends and curving gradually away therefrom toward their free ends when said tongues are in normal position, and

being provided with ports disposed in stagflat ported seat, an elastic metal body consisting of a plurality of tongues of different lengths connected and fixed at one end and free at their other ends, said tongues adapted to be flexed by fluid pressure and/nornially resting on said seat without substanfree at their other ends, said tongues adapted to be flexed by fluid pressure and normally resting on said seat without substantial tension, and stops for said tongues curved only in the direction of the length of said tongues to receive the same, said stops engaging said tongues at their fixed ends and curving gradually away therefrom toward their free ends when said tongues are in normal position, the curvature varying directly as the lengt of the tongues.

8. A valve compr1sing,in combination, a

' fiat ported seat, a plurality of tongues of different lengths fixed at one end and free at their other ends, adapted to be flexed by fluid pressure and normally resting on said seat without substantial tension, and a stop for said tongues having surfaces curved only in the direction of the length of said tongues to receive the same, said stops engaging said tongues at their fixed ends and curving gradually away therefrom toward their free ends when said tongues are in normal position, the curvature varying directly as the length of the tongues.

9. A valve comprising, in combination, a flat ported seat, a thin, elastic, reed-like metal tongue of greater length than width fixed at one end and free at the other end, adapted to be flexed by fluid pressure and normally resting on said seat without substantial tension, and a stop for said tongue I of substantially the width of said tongue having a face to receive the back of said tongue without transverse flexure thereof, said sto engaging said tongue at its fixed end an longitudinally curving gradually away therefrom toward its free end when said tongue is in normal position.

10. A valve comprising, in combination, a flat ported seat, a plurality of thin, reed-like tongues of greater length than width fixed at one end and free at their other ends, adapted to be flexed by fluid pressure and normally resting on said seat'without substantial tension, and a stop for said tongues having spaced surfacesto receive the backs of said tongues without transverse flexure thereof, said stop engaging said tongues at their fixed ends and longitudinally curving gradually away therefrom toward their free ends when said tongues are in normal position. I

ll. Avalve comprising, in combination, a

. pin

flat ported seat, a plurality of tongues held 7 at one end and free at their other ends, adapted to be flexed by fluid pressure and normally resting on said seat without substantial tension, and a stop for said tongues having spaced surfaces to receive the backs of said tongues without transverse flexure thereof and longitudinally curving gradually away therefrom toward their free ends, the curvature varying directly as the length of the tongues.

12. A compressor space divided into intake and discharge portions and having the area of each portion substantially covered with flat ported valve seats, valves in each of said portions and each comprising a plurality of thin, elastic, reed-like tongues of different lengths to substantially fill the space available in each of said head portions, each of said tongues being of greater length than width, being fixed at one end and free at the other end, adapted to be flexed by fluid pressure, and normally resting on its seat without substantial tension, and stopping means for said tongues curved only in the direction'of the length of said tongues to receive the same, said stopmeans engaging said tongues at their fixed ends and ourvinggradually away therefrom toward their free ends when said tongues are in normal position.

, 13. A compressor having a cylinder head space divided into separate intake and dis charge portions, flat va'lve seats having ports leading from said spaces into said cylinder,

valves in said portions comprising a plu- -l rality of thin, elastic, reed-like tongues of greater length -than width fixed atone end and free at the other, adapted to be flexed by fluid pressure, and normallyresting on their seats without substantial tension, the valves in one portion of said head space being on the oppositeside of said ports from' the valves in the other, and guard members .for said tongues curved only in the direction of the length of said tongues to receive the same, said guard members engaging said tongues at their fixed ends and curving gradu'ally away therefrom toward their free ends when said tongues are in normal position.

14. A compressor having a cylinder, a main cylinder head and a supplemental head providing between them a space communicating with said cylinder through ported valve seats and subdivided into separate intake and discharge portions by a suitable partition wall, elastic plate valves in each of said spaces arranged to cover the area 'of said seats, and curved guards for said valves disposed in said portions on opposite sides of said valves.

. 15. A compressor having a cylinder head closing means subdivided into separate in take and discharge portions and presenting having a cylinder head ported valve seats, a series of valves in each of said portions, each of said valves com prising an elastic tongue adapted to be flexed by the pressure of the fluid and normally lying flat'and untensioned parallel with said seats, and curved guards for said valves carried by said closing means and disposed on opposite sides of said valves.

16. A compressor having, a cylinder, a cylinder head divided into separate intake and discharge portions and having a series of ports leading from each of said portions into the cylinder, a series of valves in each of said portions, each of said valves comprising an elastic tongue adapted to be flexed byv the pressure of the fluid and normally lying flat and untensioned parallel with the head, and curved guards for said valves carried by said head and disposed on opposite sides of said valves.

17. A compressor having a cylinder head formed with intake and discharge spaces, ports in the intake space formed in a separate plate or body secured to the cylinder head, elastic tongues held at one end and free at the other end normally closing said ports and adapted to be flexed toward said headyports in the discharge space, said ports vbeing formed in the head, and similar tongues normally closing said ports and adapted to flex away from said head.

'18. A compressor having a main cylinder head and a supplemental head providing between them a cylinder head space subdivlded into separate intake and discharge portions by a suitable partition wall, ports in the intake space formed in a plate or body adj acent the cylinder head, elastic tongues held at one end and free at the other end normally closing said ports and adapted to be flexed toward said head, ports in the discharge space, said ports being formed in the head, and similar tongues normally closing said ports and adapted to flex away from said head.

19. In a compressor, in combination, a cylinder, a; cylinder head having a plurality of series of ports therein, a supplemental head divided into intakeand discharge spaces communicating with said ports, a

ported member disposed in said supplemental head, and elastic valve members one normally disposed over one of said series of ports in said cylinder and the other normally disposed over the ports in said'ported mem ber and between said ported member and the remaining ports in said cylinder head.

20. In a compressor, in combination, a cylinder, a cylinder head having a plurality of series of ports therein, a supplemental head divided into intake and discharge spaces communicating with said ports, a

ported member disposed in said supplemental head, elastic valve members one normally disposed over one of said series of ports. in

said cylinder and the othernormally dis-.

posed over the ports in said ported member and between said .ported member and the remaining ports in said cylinder head, and

guard members for said valves disposed on opposite sides of the same.

21. In a valve for permitting the flow of fluid in one direction but preventing its flow in the opposite direction, the combination of an elastic valve-body adapted to be flexed by the pressure of the fluid and provided tongues of the valve-body, the latter being interposed between said seat and said stop. 22; In a valve for permitting the flowof fluid in one direction but preventing its flow in the opposite direction, the combination of,an elastic valve-body adapted to be flexed by the pressure of-the fluid and provided with slots forming tongues pro ecting from a marginal portion and separated by said slots, a valve seat provided with apertures which said tongues overlie and normally close, and a stop or guard similarly provided with slots forming tongues projecting from a marginal portion and respectivelyoverlying the tongues of the valvebody, the latter being interposed between said seat and said stop.

23. In a valve for permitting the flow of fluid in one direction but preventing its flow in the opposite direction, the combination of an elastic valve-body adapted to be flexed by the pressure of the fluid and rovided with slots forming tongues projecting from a marginal portion and separated by said slots, said tongues progressively decreasing in length from one point to another, a valve seat provided with apertures which said tongues overlie and normally close, and a .stop or guard provided with openings and tongues overlie and normally close, and a stop or guard provided with openings and imperforate portions to receive the tongues of the valve-body, the'latter being interposed between said seat and said stop, some of the tongues of said guard being formed to permit --a greater amplitude of movement of each valve-body tongue than the relatively longer tongues.

25. In-a valve for permitting the flow of of series of perforations, one series for each tongue, which said tongues overlie and normally close, and a stop or guard provided. with openings and imperforate portions to receive the tongues of the valve-body, the

- latter being interposed between said seat and said stop;

26. In a valve for permitting the flow of fluid'in one direction but preventingbits flow in the opposite direction, the com ination of an elastic valve-body of generally segmental forni adapted to be flexed by the pressure of the fluid. and provided with slots forming tongues projecting from a marginal portion and separated by said slots, a valve seat provided with apertures which said tongues overlie and normally close, and an apertured stop or guard having portions to receive the tongues of the valve-body, the latter being interposed between said seat and said stop.

27. In a valve for permitting the flow of fluid in one direction but preventing its flow in the opposite direction, the combination of an elastic valve-body adapted to be flexed by the pressureof the fluid and provided with slots forming tongues projecting from a marginal portion and separated by said slots,

a valve seat provided with apertures which said tongues overlie and normally close, an apertured stop or guard having portions to receive the tongues of the valve-body, the lat- I ter being interposed between said seat and said stop, and an apertured mounting for said valve-body and stop, saidmounting being recessed to receive the tongues of said stop.

28. In a valve for permitting the flow of fluid in one direction but preventing its flow in the opposite direction, the combination of an elastic valve-body having a marginal portion and provided with slots forming a series of elastic tongues entirely surrounded by said marginal portion and adapted to be flexed by the pressure of the fluid, means for securing said marginal portion, a valve-seat provided with apertures which said tongues overlie and normally close, and means for limiting the opening movement of said valvebody tongues.

29. As a new article of manufacture, a valve-body consisting of a relatively thin elastic plate of generally segmental form having a-marginal portion and a plurality members in position.

of tongues projectinv therefrom toward the curved edge of the plate.

30.'As a new article of manufacture, a valve-body consisting of a relatively thin elastic plate of generally segmental form having a marginal portion and provided with a plurality of slots forming a group of tongues entirely surrounded by said marginal portion.

31. In a: valve for permitting the flow of fluid in one direction, but preventing its flow in the opposite direction, the combination of a plane elastic valve body adapted to be 1 flexed by the pressure of the fluid and provi'ded with slots forming tongues projecting from a marginal portion and separated by said slots, said tongues progressively decreasing in length from one point to another, and a valve seat provided with apertures which said tongues overlie and normally close.

. 32. In a valve for permitting the flow of fluid in one direction but preventing its flow in the opposite direction, the combination of an elastic valve body of generally segmental form adapted to be flexed by the pressure of the fluid, and provided with slots forming tongues projecting from a marginal portion and separated by said slots, and a valve seat provided with apertures which said tongues overlie and normally close.

33. In a valve for permitting the flow of fluid in one direction but preventing its flow in the opposite direction, the combination of an elastic valve body having a marginal portion and provided with slots forming a series of elastic tongues entirely surrounded by said marginal portion and adapted to be flexed by the pressure of the fluid, means for securing said marginal portion, and a Valve seat provided with apertures which said tongues overlie and normally close.

- 34. In a compressor, in combination, a cylinder head having a plurality of series of ports therein, a supplemental cylinder head divided into intake and discharge spaces, a ported member disposed in said supplemental head having its ports opposite certain of the ports in said cylinder head, elastic valve members normally disposed over certain of the ports in said cylinder head and the ports in said ported member, said last mentioned valve members being disposed between said ported member and the remaining ports in said cylinder head, guard members disposed on opposite sides of said valve members, and means for clamping said val es and guard 35. Ina compressor, in combination, a

cylinder head having a plurality of series V of ports therein, a supplemental cylinder head divided into intake and discharge spaces, a ported member disposed in said supplemental head having its ports opposite mum certain of the ports in said cylinder'head, elastic valve members normally disposed over certain of the -ports in said cylinder head and the ports in said ported member, said last mentioned valve members being -disposed between said ported member and the remaining ports in said cylinder head, guard members disposed on opposite sides of said valve members, means for clamping said valves and guard members in position,

and means whereby access may be had to said clamping means from the exterior of said supplemental head.

36. In a compressor, in combination, a

cylinder head having a plurality of series of ports therein, a supplemental cylinder head divided into intake and discharge spaces, a:

valve members, means for clamping saidvalves and guard members in position, means whereby access may be had to said clamping means from the exterior of said supplemental head, and means whereby said supplemental head may be bodily removed from said cylinder head. a

37. A valve comprising, in combination, a flat ported seat, a thin, elastic, reed like, metal tongue'of greater length than width fixed at one end to a marginal valve portion, the latter being held securely to aid seat as far forward as its junction with said tongue, said tongue having its other end free and adapted to be flexed by fluid pressure, and normally resting on said seat without substantial tension, and a stop for said tongue curved only in the direction of the length of said tongue to receive the same, said stop engaging said tongue at its fixed end and curving gradually away therefrom toward its free end when said tongue is in normal position.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

'svEN T. NELSON.

Witnesses:

FRANK A. -HALLEoK, H. B. HALvoRsEN. 

